Yoshiki (ヨシキ), leader of X JAPAN, made a special guest appearance at the 25th anniversary stage of Japan Expo Paris 2026, one of Europe’s largest celebrations of Japanese culture. The appearance was streamed live on “YOSHIKI CHANNEL,” with parts of the broadcast also made available to the wider public on YouTube.
Japan Expo Paris draws more than 250,000 visitors annually and brings together music, anime, manga, and fashion under one roof. This year’s edition marked the event’s 25th anniversary, and organizers brought in Yoshiki as a headline surprise for the milestone stage. The livestream on YOSHIKI CHANNEL, available through Niconico and YouTube channel membership, included both concert footage and an interview segment with the artist.
The Paris appearance comes as Yoshiki continues a packed year of performances. He is currently preparing for “YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2026 IN LOS ANGELES WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL ‘SCARLET NIGHT & VIOLET NIGHT,'” a pair of classical concerts scheduled for July 16 and 17 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Who is Yoshiki?
Yoshiki is the drummer, pianist, and leader of X JAPAN, one of the most influential rock bands in Japanese music history, and also fronts the supergroup THE LAST ROCKSTARS alongside Hyde (L’Arc-en-Ciel, VAMPS), Sugizo (LUNA SEA, X JAPAN), and Miyavi. The group formed in November 2022 and completed its debut tour across Tokyo, New York, and Los Angeles in early 2023. Yoshiki also produces the boy band XY.
Beyond music, Yoshiki is known for extensive philanthropic work through the Yoshiki Foundation America, which he established in 2010 and which has supported Ukrainian refugees, orphan relief efforts, and disaster recovery initiatives. His business ventures include the kimono brand YOSHIKIMONO, the wine and champagne label “Y by YOSHIKI,” and the Paris-based fashion house MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS, which he founded in 2023. He has also partnered with Coca-Cola Japan on the soft drinks “Real Gold X” and “Real Gold Y.”
In October 2023, Yoshiki became the first Japanese artist to perform at three historic Western concert venues in a single tour, staging his “YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 10TH ANNIVERSARY” orchestral concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, and New York’s Carnegie Hall, alongside a Tokyo stop at Tokyo Garden Theater.
